Light indicator



Sept. 8,1936. M. H. MELLEN LIGHT INDICATOR Filed April 12, 1934 gyNabeZL.HeZZen, ExecuZrix, b g m 627% @M@&

Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED. STATES LIGHT INDICATOR Mortimer H. Mellen, deceased, late of Cliftondale,

Mass, by Mabel Mellen, executrix, Cliftondale, Mass.

Application April 12,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a light indicator for lanterns of the class which are designed to project the greater portion of the light in a more or less concentrated beam along and about the optical axis, while some of the light is more widely dispersed. The invention is concerned more particularly with novel and improved means to utilize some of the light to illuminate an indicator disposed laterally of the optical axis to serve as a signal for any purpose. The invention may be applied to portable projectors as well as to vehicle lamps such as side-lights, headlights and tail lights. In any case, some of the laterally disposed rays strike the light retracting body and cause the same to glow. As herein shown, this body is built into the lantern itself by being incorporated in the bezel which holds the lens in place on the body of the housing.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be pointed out more particularly in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig, l is a plan of a lantern embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing and to the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein by way of example, there is shown a lantern comprising a usual light source such as a filament 3 of an incandescent lamp bulb 4, with which there is associated a usual reflector 5 by means of which the rays from the light source are projected as a more or less concentrated beam, while some of the rays are more widely dispersed laterally.

The reflector and the light source are housed within a housing comprising a body 6, a lens I and a retaining bezel 8, said bezel having therein a chamber 9 provided with an entrance opening I0 disposed laterally of and facing toward the optical axis of the reflector and lens to receive laterally disposed light rays, said chamber being also provided with an exit opening ll disposed outwardly with relation to said entrance opening. Within this chamber is a light retracting body l2, herein spherical and conveniently made of glass. It may be of white glass or of any color to suit the circumstances of use.

The glass sphere is seated within the chamber between the entrance and exit openings, and it is maintained in its proper position by an appropriate spring, herein a helically coiled spring 1934, Serial No. 720,236

[3, which urges the body outwardly with relation to the optical axis. As shown, the spring is smaller at its outer end than at its inner end, and it is self centering with relation to the sphere. The larger end of the spring is conveniently seated 5 in an annular groove [4 adjacent the entrance opening I0.

Laterally disposed light rays entering the entrance opening It and falling upon the spherical light refracting body cause the latter to glow and 10 to be observable through a fairly wide angular range limited only by the size of the exit opening H.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention, but without being limited thereto, 15 what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lantern of the type in which the greater part of the rays from a light source are projected as a more or less concentrated beam, and some of the rays are more widely dispersed laterally, the combination with the usual light source and the associated reflector, of a housing which houses said light source and said reflector, said housing comprising a body and a lens, a. second housing supported by the firstmentioned housing and having therein a chamber provided with an entrance opening disposed laterally of and facing toward the optical axis of said reflector and lens to receive laterally dispersed light rays, said chamber being also provided with an exit opening disposed outwardly with relation to said entrance opening, a light refracting body seated within said chamber between said entrance and exit openings, and a spring within said chamber exerting against said light refracting body an outward thrust with relation to said axis and maintaining the seating of said light retracting body.

2. In a lantern of the type in which the greater part of the rays from a light source are projected as a more or less concentrated beam, and some of the rays are more widely dispersed laterally, the combination with the usual light source and the associated reflector, of a housing which houses said light source and said reflector, said housing comprising a body and a lens, a second housing supported by the first-mentioned housing and having therein a chamber provided with an entrance opening disposed laterally of and facing toward the optical axis of said reflector and lens to receive laterally dispersed light rays, said chamber being also provided with a seat and with an exit opening disposed outwardly with relation to said entrance opening, a convex,

light-refracting body having a convex surface seated against said seat, and a spring within said chamber pressing against said light refracting body and cooperating with said convex surface to center said body with relation to said seat and to urge said body toward said seat.

3. In a lantern of the type in which the greater part of the rays from a light source are pro- J'ected as a more or less concentrated beam, and some of the rays are more widely dispersed laterally, the combination with the usual light source and the associated reflector, of a housing which houses said light source and said reflector,

said housing comprising a body and a lens, a second housing supported by the first-mentioned housing and having therein a chamber provided convex surface to center said body with relation to said seat and to urge said body toward said seat.

MABEL L. MELLEN, Executrz'a: of Mortimer H. Mellen, Deceased. 

